d watch your loved ones leave one by one, while you remain alone, wandering the mortal realm. I still have hundreds of years to stay in the underworld... after that—""Then we can find a place to hide,...If I wasn't in plain sight, I would tap the travel brochures on the table to get the attention of this shiny head next to me.

However, this circle is very particular about etiquette and seniority, and there has always been a bit of "disharmony" between monks.

This kind of "incongruity" in terms of belief only exists peacefully in our country. Our culture is inclusive and tolerant, and after Buddhism entered China, many aspects were also Sinicized.

As for indigenous authenticity, Taoism undoubtedly takes the lead, as it originated from local culture.

But in some periods of history, rulers promoted Buddhism for the convenience of governance. Therefore, sometimes temples had considerable power, and there were times when monks proliferated, management was chaotic, and even extravagant and licentious behavior occurred. This includes many fake monks today, which have cast a veil of dust over true "Buddha Dharma."

Taoism isn't really that great either. Lost secret arts, scattered classics, equating Taoism with feudal superstition, and half-baked charlatans have all contributed to Taoism being misunderstood by the general public.

In the final analysis, we are living in the last days. While surviving, we must also maintain our faith. Those of us in this circle can only cultivate our inner selves. At the same time that we enter and leave the world, we must also uphold certain things.

Master Huqing is an old acquaintance of mine and my brother. We are from the same province and both belong to this circle. Even if we don't meet often, we can still hear quite a bit about each other.

However, at this time there were many people around. Even if I was acquainted with him, I still had to be mindful of the different paths of monks and lay people, as well as the separation between men and women.

Besides, this guy Hu Qing even looks like a meditating monk when he's napping. He's really good at "cultivation"!

The secretary cleared her throat, picked up the small microphone in front of her, and began to speak.

After Hu Qing sat his young apprentice, who was also an acquaintance. This little fellow was about the same age as my greedy wolf, just half a year younger than him. He was also tall when he was growing up. The bald head he used to have is now grown out into a long strip.

The little monk gave me an apologetic smile and tugged at his master's sleeve hard. He whispered to me, "Master Head, my master has been copying Buddhist scriptures all night. Don't mind him, hehe…"

This look is from burning the midnight oil copying Buddhist scriptures I'd believe it if you said it was from playing video games all night.

Master Huqing, after all, was a "veteran of the Jianghu". He could nap so openly and naturally without feeling embarrassed. He slightly opened his eyes, glanced at me, and nodded politely with not a hint of surprise: "Greetings, Master Mu."

“You seem to be exhausted, worrying all night. What have you been up to” I pretended to organize my bag and asked softly.

"What else can I do, perform a ritual..." Hu Qing closed his eyes in pain: "Just returned from abroad, and stayed up all night preparing for the ritual. This monk isn't like a Bodhisattva with six arms and three heads, I'm already too busy."

Indeed... previously, Puji Temple was headed by Master Yuanhui of the Huqing lineage. After Master Yuanhui passed away, he passed on his mantle to Huqing. At that time, although Puji Temple was also a hundred-year-old temple with good incense, it didn't have as many "business" matters to handle as it does now.

Apart from dealing with the corpse demons, Puzhi Temple also had its share of business. This boosted their reputation within the circle, and Hu Qing was even elected as the head of the Tongxuan Association by us. As a result, the temple's business flourished.

But Puji Temple, back then because of the corpse demon, had already dismissed many monks. It was still a group of wandering ascetic monks who helped them through the crisis. After that, it wasn't easy to find some high-level monks again.

Many monks in tourist attractions nowadays are just workers who shave their heads, put on monk robes, and recite a few scriptures. They aren't real monks. If we hire them casually, it might tarnish the reputation of Putuo Temple.

With a severe shortage of personnel at the Puji Temple, Huicqing became the busiest abbot.

"Why don't you learn from that XX temple I just heard they pay their monks tens of thousands a month. You could lure some over from other temples with high salaries," I whispered.

Hu Qing shook her head, without saying more.

It was his junior apprentice who quietly told me, " ... Some real monks in the circle know that Putuo Temple was tainted by a Corpse Demon back then. They are afraid of death and dare not come. These fake monks don't know about it. My master doesn't look down on them... These past two years have been those ascetic monks staying temporarily, just putting up their names here. Otherwise, there wouldn't even be twenty people in our temple."

Oh, with so few people, it's truly difficult.

While Putuo Temple may not be a luxurious one, it is after all a hundred-year-old temple with all the necessary facilities. Just keeping it clean and tidy takes more than twenty people every day. Not to mention the entrusted religious services and the tasks related to the mysterious gatherings.

There are dozens of inner disciples in the Shen family, let alone outer disciples and some clan members. Adding them all up, there are no less than two or three hundred people. This is what keeps the Shen family running normally.

"You're one to talk... you were a fake monk yourself back in the day, and you dare to look down on other fake monks" I said with a teasing smile to Huiqing.

Huaisqing said in a serious tone, "That's different. Although I was a lay disciple back then, I had the Buddha's predestined relationship and wisdom root. Now these fake monks, sigh, they only have their eyes on wages and benefits."

Pff... I almost couldn't hold it in.

The secretary coughed a few times. I quickly composed myself, mentally preparing my speech—it was almost my turn to speak.

I'm used to being "questioned" because in this circle, I'm a "figurehead." I'm young and often have insider information or firsthand news.

These clans and schools want to get information from me, but they can't come directly. They have to act like seniors, putting on airs in this situation and "asking" me a question.

But because I have a soft temper and am too easy to bully, the other party's tone is usually not very good.

However, I don't mind either, as long as it doesn't involve my bottom line, I won't care.

"I heard the head of the Shen family is looking for the Six Extremes Ghostly Artifact What's the purpose behind this…"

"Yes, I heard he even ran to the northern grasslands. It's said that the head of the Shen family personally went after him, even injuring people and taking treasures Is this just a rumor"

It seems they still don't know about the resort incident recently. I lowered my eyes and placed my hands on the table, pressing the small microphone button.

After experiencing such a scene many times, it seems to be indifferent.

They are just wasting their breath; it's like beating a dead horse.

I won't get angry with them, and they wouldn't dare to really do anything to me. They just talk fiercely, but I'm used to it and find it not scary at all.

I answered their questions one by one, saying whatever came to mind, just avoiding the part about Jiang Qiyun.

"...Amitabha, why are you still so honest" Huisqing saw me finish speaking and frowned at me.

He lowered his voice and reminded, “You said that searching for the Sixi Ghostsword was an attempt to awaken Young Master Lin, so wouldn't those inside be sharpening their wits and digging three feet into the ground to find it Who wouldn't want to get in touch with the Lin family after such a huge favor If someone else finds a way to wake up Young Master Lin first, your face and status within the Shen family will be threatened…”

>ack of his neck."I, I don't know how I got so unlucky—to meet both of you masters! Please spare me, Masters! All I want is to find a scapegoat so I can leave here!" he pleaded."Finding a scapegoat is...